GNO Inc. caps off busy year for economic development

The CEO of regional economic development group GNO Inc. said Thursday that his organization helped bring more than 1,500 jobs to the New Orleans area over the last year. Video game developer Gameloft and General Electric both announced plans to establish software development offices in the city. NASA committed to constructing components for its new heavy-lift rocket at the Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans, a development that promises to add 500 jobs. And a host of other companies, including Reily Foods and northshore manufacturer Bradken Industries, announced expansions of their facilities.

"Last year was an extraordinary year," Michael Hecht told nearly 1,000 business leaders attending GNO Inc's annual meeting at the Sheraton in New Orleans.

Both GE and Gameloft conducted extensive site searches before settling on New Orleans.

"The project itself with GE is exciting, but the fact that we survived a one-and-a-half-year vetting process (by that company) ... is an extraordinary validation for us," he said.

Hecht added that he expects the software and information technology sector to take hold in New Orleans and experience significant growth in the coming years, much like the film industry has grown over the past decade.

Hecht also used his presentation to reinforce the importance of parishes across the region working together on economic development.

"The reason why we're staging one of the most remarkable comebacks is because of the cooperation of the region," Hecht said.

GNO Inc. on Thursday installed Dale Benoit, president and CEO of Print All in Plaquemines Parish, as its 2012 Chairman. Benoit succeeds Leslie Jacobs, executive vice president of Strategic Comp, who chaired the group in 2011.

GNO Inc. also announced that Hecht's contract has been extended until December 31, 2015. Hecht, who took the helm of GNO Inc. in June of 2008, said the extension takes him beyond the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.

"We're only at half-time in our rebuilding," Hecht said. "And I love this job."

Kimberly Quillen can be reached at kquillen@timespicayune.com or 504.826.3416.